Sunday, July 29, 2012

boxing with lady ocean

We were driving home last night from the beach and I told honey I literally feel beat up by the ocean. I'm going to refer to that big beautiful expanse as a "she". She seemed to be in a mood yesterday. Deceptive to say the least. No waves to be seen, just calm and THEN BAM! Slam!!No thank ya ma'am. I got walloped I don't know how many times. And I don't do it gracefully like some. I have my top about yanked off. My cute little bandanna rips away. I swallow half the salty surf and come up gasping for breath.

My little chick got smacked around too. Literally! It looked like she was spanked on the bottom. HARD! Shame on her...that moody ocean. She taught us a lesson. Tried to beat us down. And for my little who all of a sudden has been struggling with seeds of fear...that was all it took for her to get the sad face and to pout for part of the day:(

Fear is an interesting thing. All it takes is one bad experience...one scary event to shift what used to be fun...what used to be exciting into something we never want to do again.

What seemed unappealing for us was just the opposite for my big chick. She seemed to thrive with the big waves...egging them on. Come and get me she seemed to say:) Instead of getting pulled under by the waves she went into them face forward...diving into their scary powerful pull. I marvel at my first born. At her bravery with life. I marvel at her eye for beauty and her upbeat attitude. Her, in all of her 12 years of life, seemingly full of knowledge and wisdom. How can a child make me want to be a better person? How can someone so young teach me so much??

We didn't let "her" win yesterday. We got back in. We braved those waves. We had FUN! Ultimately we faced those fears and didn't let them keep us down. A lesson was taught...a pep talk was had:) It was a good day boxing with lady ocean!!

Oh and by the way...my honey had his own boxing match. It wasn't with lady ocean...it was with bad drivers! Talk about some road rage. We need to sign daddy up for anger management courses!! The beach may be relaxing, but getting to and from not so much;)

I loved your questions: "How can a child make me want to be a better person? How can someone so young teach me so much??"I think about this all the time! I believe its my sons' innocence, their trust, their purity & unbrokenness that make me want to love relentlessly, give effortlessly, and pursue life passionately. Youth is just so...pure.

love those freckles!and seriously, my children teach me so much, it's humbling.i chat with big chick on IG, and she is such a sweet little burst of Him.i think to myself, that mama has done a good job with those girls. :) praise Him!xo

Oh Becky, I love this post sooo much! You had me laughing & crying. As much as I love being at the beach, my fears often keep me out of the ocean.Your girls sound so much like mine; and my hubby & your honey seem to share some "issues" with bad drivers:)

LOVE all these pics! I grew up going to the beach in CA- so many sweet memories! Love that you're creating those memories with your girls. I know exactly that love/hate relationship with the waves- I miss it! Those pictures of your girls are stunning- wow!And love that pic of you and your hubby- no wonder your girls are so beautiful!

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Hi...I'm Becky. My life's journey so far has led me to marry my high school sweetheart. We've been married for 22 years, have 2 beautiful girls and a furry creature named Fergie. My painting style is very simple, colorful and almost childlike. I grew up in rural Illinois hence, "Farmgirl Paints". I get my creative inspiration from God. It is only through His giftings that I have any ability whatsoever.